The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to send veteran cornerback A.J. Bouye to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2020, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The trade cannot be finalized before the opening of the new championship year on March 18. Bouye was likely to be released by Jacksonville if they had not found a business partner. He has two years left on his contract. The 28-year-old was expected to earn $ 15.4 million in 2019. The Jaguars are expected to earn approximately $ 11.4 million toward their salary cap with the move.
At the NFL meeting last week, Jacksonville general manager Dave Caldwell did not say whether or not Bouye would return for another season.
“These are things we discuss with [defensive coordinator Todd] Wash – and A.J. had a great year last year. We’ll explore all the options with him, but he still has a lot of football in him. Again, another player that we really love here as a person and as a guy and, obviously, you know about the salary restrictions and all that. Realistically, it’s not as bad when you put it in line with the other corners in the league, “said Caldwell.
Bouye, a 2013 UCF undrafted free agent, recorded 65 tackles, eight assists and an interception in 14 games last season. He made his only appearance at the Pro Bowl in 2017. During his career, he has accumulated 16 interceptions and one touchdown. After four seasons with the Houston Texans, he signed a lucrative four-year deal worth $ 67.5 million in March 2017.
The return of head coach Doug Marrone may have embittered the idea of another season together. In October 2018, Bouye revealed to journalists that he would not be playing week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts. The news came as a surprise to the head coach.
“I guess I’ll have to talk to him about it. That’s not what the trainer told me. He said it? Okay, we’ll take care of it. I was not told by the trainer. That’s the truth, “Marrone said at the time, via Pro Football Talk.
Denver is preparing to lose veteran cornerback Chris Harris Jr. to free agency. By adding Bouye via Commerce, Denver will have one less alignment hole to fill this offseason if and when Harris signs with another team.
